Woke Portland just booted its pro-crime DA — and NYC should follow

Portland has ousted its soft-on-crime District Attorney, Mike Schmidt, in favor of Nathan Vasquez, a candidate backed by police unions and committed to restoring law and order. Schmidt, elected in 2020, became notorious for his leniency on crime, especially during the George Floyd protests, and his support for the decriminalization of drugs under Measure 110. The lack of prosecution and failure to address drug treatment led to an explosion of crime and a significant exodus of residents. Vasquez, a former Republican, promises to reverse these policies, focusing on public safety, rebuilding ties with law enforcement, and prosecuting crimes effectively. Portland's shift signals a broader rejection of progressive criminal justice reforms that have left the city struggling with high crime rates and public dissatisfaction.